Confessions of a Wayward Academic exposes the reader to the raw realities of doing public policy as opposed to merely studying it. Corbett celebrates his professional life in the world of policy as an exhilarating adventure, both challenging yet totally rewarding. He tells his story in the welfare and poverty policy trenches with a deft and light touch, bringing the characters and events to life with wit, wisdom, and sensitivity. While it reads much like a novel, this work exposes readers to the intimate complexities of realizing political and policy change from a perspective few can experience. It is an accessible journey that all who care about our nation and about our most vulnerable citizens should take.